Saint Mary's College Of California

financial aid

Financial Aid, in the form of student loans, is available to most adult students, regardless of income. To begin the process of applying for financial aid, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Saint Mary's College federal school code, requested on the form, is 001302. Also, please submit the Saint Mary’s College Financial Aid Application which is found at:
http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/admissions-and-aid/financial-aid/undergraduate/

Download the Saint Mary's College Financial Aid Application (pdf)

Please know that you must be accepted into the program before financial aid is awarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When do I apply for financial aid?
   If aid is needed to pay tuition, students should apply for financial aid when applying for admission to the program. Students are billed from the beginning of the program and are obligated to pay tuition not covered by financial aid. Students may also apply once in the program, if aid becomes a need.
2. Once I apply, will I receive financial aid throughout the entire program?
   No. The program is too long to be covered by one financial aid period. A financial aid loan period is eight months or two academic terms (trimesters). Students MUST RE-APPLY every two terms for continuing financial aid.
3. When do I receive financial aid? Students receive two disbursements each financial aid loan period. The disbursements are made each term (trimester), or once every four months. The disbursements are processed about one month into the trimester, after the College verifies students are admitted, registered, and have no outstanding debts from the previous term.
4. Is the amount of financial aid equal to the cost of the courses?
   • Frequently, the amount of the aid is more than the cost of the
      program courses. If that is the case, students receive a check from the
      Business Office for any amount over the cost of the courses for the term
      in which the aid is disbursed. If the amount of the aid, however, is less
      than the cost of the courses during the term in which the disbursement
      is made, the student must pay the difference to the Business Office.
   • Independent undergraduate students with junior or senior standings may borrow up to $6,250 per term or $12,500 per financial
      aid loan period (2 terms).
5. What else do I need to know?
   • To be eligible for aid, students must take a minimum of 6 units per term
      of the loan period.
   • Students must remain in the program during the loan periods. Withdrawal
      form courses may disqualify financial aid.
   • Students must be fully accepted into the program before aid is awarded.
      Acceptance is contingent upon receipt of all admissions documents and the
      successful completion of the interview. Acceptance is sent in a separate letter.
6. Where can I get more information?
   Students may call the Financial Aid Office at 925-631-4370 or 866-306-0390 (toll free). Students may go to the Saint Mary’s College financial aid website using this link: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/admissions-and-aid/financial-aid/undergraduate/